Bees, Beekeeping & Honey Production
All of the honey, propolis and beeswax used in Honeysuckle products is sourced from Overberg Honey Company, and it is all 100% South African harvested.
Honey
Skin soothing - Vitamins - Antioxidants
Honey is a substance produced by bees from the nectar of flowering plants. Composed primarily of the sugars fructose and glucose and consumed as food, honey also has applications when it comes to skincare. This is due to its amino acid, peptide, antioxidant, antibacterial composition.
The primary research on honey and skin has to do with its multi-faceted role in soothing various concerns. Dark honeys have a stronger antioxidant effect than light honeys. That is why we here at Honeysuckle prefer to work with our Fynbos Honey.
Honey’s primary use in skincare products is related to its potent antioxidant properties; however, its role in helping wounds heal has been shown to have some benefits in comparison to traditional medicines and procedures. Honey forms a barrier on skin that can help soothe and protect.
Propolis
Skin soothing - Antioxidants
Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees produce from tree buds sap flows. When they mix the sap with their own discharges and beeswax, they create a sticky, greenish-brown product used for coating and waterproofing their hives. This functions as a natural disinfectant against bacteria to keep all diseases out of the colony and keep them healthy.
In other words – Propolis is the bee’s medicine, and it has been used for medicinal purposes since before 350 BC. So basically, the proof is in the pudding.
The word Propolis is said to have been coined by Aristotle, from the Greek words “pro” (before) and “polis” (city), meaning, “Before The City”, or “Defender Of The City”.
Using Propolis in skin care products provides a similar defence for our skin.
As an antimicrobial, some types of propolis have in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity and that is why it is very effective in fighting acne. In science propolis is also known as an antioxidant, an emollient and is being studied for skin cancer treatment and cancer prevention. Propolis is commonly used for its healing, antiseptic and restorative capabilities. Propolis will assist in balancing, healing and soothing problematic skin. It also accelerates the rate of cell growth and decongests pores. Propolis protects against bacteria and functions as a great anti-inflammatory agent.
All the propolis used in Honeysuckle comes from South African sources and we use it from its natural state. It is an extremely rare product to find in South Africa.
Beeswax
Skin soothing - Vitamins
Beeswax is made by bees. They make their honeycomb cells from it. The cells are for their larvae, and for storing honey and pollen. Natural beeswax is yellowish.
Honeysuckle gets all its beeswax from Overberg Honey Company. Wax could be quite a pricey component, since beekeepers reuses it in their hives as wax sheets. 80% of Overberg Honey Company’s wax are reused in this way.
Beeswax is mostly known for its conditioning properties, beeswax also has a number of other benefits for the skin, including an action that helps to calm and soothe.
Other benefits are:
- Wax contains 68 times more vitamins than red meat.
- Used to produce candles.
- Has healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Is an excellent emollient, which is why it is used in cosmetics for making all types of skin products, like creams, scrubs, poultices, lip liner, astringents, masks, facials, soaps, etc.
- Helps soften hard tumours.
- Beeswax is rich in vitamin A. 100 grams of beeswax contains 4096 IU’s (International Units), 3300 of which are vitamin A.
- Chewing wax cleans and strengthens gums and eliminates dental calculi and nicotine concentrations in smokers.
- Chewing a piece of wax with honey helps clean the nasopharynx and is a recommended remedy for sinusitis, asthma, and hay fever.